Numeric scale report or pain Number of prescribed analgesic pills taken [ Time Frame: 24-36 hours following intervention ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Original Secondary Outcome Measures ICMJE

Same as current

Current Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Original Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Descriptive Information

Brief Title ICMJE

The Comparison of Supraperiosteal Nerve Block With Opiate Analgesia in Alleviating the Pain of Toothache

Official Title ICMJE

The Comparison of Supraperiosteal Nerve Block With Opiate Analgesia in Alleviating the Pain of Toothache

Brief Summary

This study will compare the degree of pain control provided by two techniques for persons with toothache in an emergency department. The two techniques include;

standard oral narcotic pain medication

numbing the tooth with local anesthetic by needle injection

Detailed Description

Background: Toothache is a common complaint among patients presenting to the emergency department. There are two commonly employed methods of alleviating this severe form of pain. Oral opioid analgesia is the most commonly utilized strategy for treating this pain. However, many emergency physicians and dentists employ a local anesthetic technique known as supraperiosteal nerve block. This study will compare the relative efficacy of these techniques.

Patients meeting enrollment criteria will be randomized to either receive a supraperiosteal nerve block or oral hydrocodone 10 mg/acetaminophen 650 mg. They will otherwise be managed identically. Reduction of pain scores between entry and 30 minutes post intervention will be compared as well as numeric pain scores obtained by phone contact 24 hours later. Secondary outcomes will include the proportion of individuals from each group filling prescriptions for pain medication and the number of pain pills taken.